The social norms of masculinity are being challenged in a new project taking place across the province, which aims to engage men in the prevention of intimate partner violence.
Navigating Modern Masculinity – Engaging Men in Violence Prevention focuses on changing attitudes and recognizing the harmful stereotypes pertaining to what it means to be a man in today’s world.
The project will develop resources for deconstructing toxic masculinity, an outreach strategy, and community engagement to promote the materials developed.
Val Barter, Executive Director of Violence Prevention Avalon East, says this is a project they have been wanting to get off the ground for some time. She says men are surrounded by “harmful and limiting representations of masculinity”, which create a culture where violence against women is tolerated.
The project, which is already underway, will be completed over the course of one year, and will be managed by a provincial advisory committee.